Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Brooke Murdock called this one of the most horrific crimes her courtroom has ever seen. She sentenced Policarpio Espinoza-Perez on Monday to a life term with credit for time served. The judge said Espinoza-Perez could be eligible for parole in 10 to 12 years. However, if he ever does get out, he will then be sent to federal prison, held and ultimately deported back to Mexico.

Advertisement

Related Content

Almost nine years and three trials later, Espinoza-Perez is getting the sentence prosecutors thought he deserved -- just not the charge. Espinoza-Perez was found guilty of three counts of conspiracy in March in the deaths of 9-year-old Alexis Quezada, 8-year-old Lucero Espinoza and 10-year-old Ricardo Espinoza Jr. in an apartment building in the 7000 block of Park Heights Avenue in 2004. However, he was acquitted of a second-degree murder charge. A mistrial was declared on the first-degree murder charge because the jury couldn't agree on a verdict.

The sentence came as no surprise to the defense.

"It's what we expected. We had hoped for something a little bit lighter, but in a crime like this, you have to expect the maximum penalty and that's what we got. With what he was facing before the trial, it's not too bad but it's what we expected," defense attorney Nicholas Pantaleakis said.

In court Monday, both sides presented two witness impact statements, and Espinoza-Perez addressed the court for the first time. Through tears, Espinoza-Perez told Murdock, "I have been jailed for nine years for crimes I did not commit ... I used to take care of my nephews. I loved them and I miss them ... I love my family."

"He's always wanted to say something, but he really felt the need this time to actually say what was in his heart and what was on his mind, and he says he didn't do it and I believe him. I don't think he did this," Pantaleakis said.

Espinoza-Perez's brother and nephew also told the judge they believed the court convicted the wrong man, but statements from the mothers of the children that were killed were full of emotion, demonstrating the horrific nature of the case.

Mimi Casada-Morales, who lost her son and daughter, had trouble keeping her composure as she told Murdock, "I have rancor in my heart that I can't stand. I wish to eliminate the person who did this."

Espinoza-Perez and fellow defendant Adan Canela have faced two other murder trials in the deaths of their three young relatives. The first attempt at convicting the men ended in a mistrial, and the conviction in their second trial was overturned.

Unlike in the first two trials, prosecutors were not allowed to use certain DNA evidence and witness testimony.